Fire or lightning
Damage from flames, heat and smoke from a fire, and from lightning strikes.
Example: A candle sets the curtains alight and the living room burns; lightning splits a chimney.
Perils: the causes of damage
A peril is a cause of loss, like fire or theft. Property policies are built around them: some list the perils they cover, others cover every cause they don't specifically exclude.
Two ways a policy can be written
- Named perils
- Covers only the causes listed. If it isn't on the list, it isn't covered. Your belongings under an HO-3 work this way.
- Open perils
- Covers every cause except the ones excluded. Broader, and the insurer has to show an exclusion applies. The house itself under an HO-3 works this way.
The 16 common named perils
This is the standard list in broad-form home policies (HO-2, and belongings under HO-3). Basic forms like DP-1 cover fewer.
Windstorm or hail
Wind, including hurricanes and tornadoes, and hail.
Example: Hail dents the siding and cracks roof shingles.
Watch for: Rain or snow damage inside is covered only if wind or hail first made an opening in the roof or a wall.
Explosion
A sudden burst, like a gas leak igniting.
Example: A gas grill explodes and damages the back porch.
Riot or civil commotion
Damage by a crowd during a riot or violent disturbance.
Example: Windows are smashed during unrest in your street.
Aircraft
Anything from an aircraft hitting your property, including parts falling off.
Example: A part falls off a passing plane and crashes through the roof.
Vehicles
A car or truck hitting your house or belongings.
Example: A driver loses control and crashes into your garage.
Watch for: Damage to a fence or driveway by a car someone in your household drives is often excluded.
Smoke
Sudden, accidental smoke damage, such as from a furnace malfunction or a nearby fire.
Example: A furnace puffs back and coats the basement with soot.
Watch for: Smoke from a fireplace used normally, or from farming or industrial work, isn't covered.
Vandalism or malicious mischief
Damage someone causes on purpose.
Example: Someone spray-paints your garage door.
Watch for: Usually not covered once the home has been vacant for more than 60 days in a row.
Theft
Things stolen, from your home or elsewhere, and damage done during a break-in.
Example: A burglar breaks the back door and takes a laptop.
Watch for: Cash, jewelry, firearms and some other items have low limits. Theft by someone in your household isn't covered.
Falling objects
Something falling onto the house or your belongings.
Example: A heavy branch crashes onto your patio furniture.
Watch for: Damage inside the house is covered only if the object first damaged the roof or an outside wall.
Weight of ice, snow or sleet
Damage when heavy ice or snow makes part of the house give way.
Example: Wet snow piles up and the carport roof collapses.
Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam
Water that escapes suddenly from plumbing, heating, air conditioning, a sprinkler system or an appliance.
Example: The washing machine hose splits and soaks the laundry room floor.
Watch for: Slow, continuous leaks, sewer backup and flood aren't part of this peril.
Sudden tearing apart, cracking, burning or bulging
A water heater, boiler, heating or air-conditioning system, or fire sprinkler system suddenly breaking apart.
Example: The water heater tank splits and damages the floor around it.
Freezing
Plumbing, heating or air-conditioning systems, or appliances, freezing and breaking.
Example: A pipe in an outside wall freezes and cracks during a cold snap.
Watch for: Covered only if you kept the house heated, or shut off and drained the water.
Sudden damage from artificial electrical current
Damage from a power surge or short circuit (not lightning, which is covered under fire).
Example: A surge melts the wiring in a light fixture.
Watch for: The standard wording excludes damage to electronic parts, like TVs, computers and appliance circuit boards.
Volcanic eruption
Damage from lava, ash, dust and blast from an eruption.
Example: Volcanic ash clogs the air conditioning in Hawaii.
Watch for: An earthquake caused by a volcano isn't included.
Causes that are usually excluded
These are left out of standard home policies, whether named or open perils. Some can be added back or bought separately.
| Cause | Example | Where to get coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Rising water from rain, rivers or storm surge. | A separate flood policy. For cars, comprehensive. |
| Earthquake and earth movement | Shaking, landslides, sinkholes, mudflow. | An earthquake policy or add-on. Sinkhole coverage in some states. |
| Sewer or drain backup | Sewage coming up through a basement drain. | A water backup coverage endorsement. |
| Wear and tear | An old roof, worn pipes, rust, rot. | Not insurable. It's maintenance. |
| Mold and rot | Mold after a leak that went on for months. | Some policies cover a small amount when the mold resulted from a covered sudden leak. |
| Pests and animals | Termites, rats, birds, bedbugs. | Not insurable. Prevention and pest control. A sudden collapse caused by hidden insect damage is usually covered, though. |
| Neglect | Not protecting the house after a loss, like leaving a broken window open to the rain. | Not insurable. Take reasonable steps to prevent more damage and keep receipts. |
| Intentional damage | Damage you or a household member cause on purpose. | Not insurable. |
| Power failure away from your home | A regional blackout spoils your freezer. | Some policies offer food spoilage coverage. |
| Building code upgrades | The city requires new wiring when you rebuild. | Ordinance or law coverage, for more than the small amount included. |
| War and nuclear hazard | Acts of war, radiation. | Not available to individuals. |